Alan Jones facts for kids
Jones in 1980 at Zandvoort
|
|
| Born | 2 November 1946 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
|---|---|
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| Nationality |  Australian |
| Active years | 1975–1981, 1983, 1985–1986 |
| Teams | Hesketh (privateer) Hill, Surtees, Shadow, Williams, Arrows, Haas Lola |
| Entries | 117 (116 starts) |
| Championships | 1 (1980) |
| Wins | 12 |
| Podiums | 24 |
| Career points | 199 (206) |
| Pole positions | 6 |
| Fastest laps | 13 |
| First entry | 1975 Spanish Grand Prix |
| First win | 1977 Austrian Grand Prix |
| Last win | 1981 Caesars Palace Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 1986 Australian Grand Prix |
Alan Stanley Jones, MBE, born on 2 November 1946 in Melbourne, Victoria, is a famous Australian former Formula One driver. He made history by becoming the first driver to win a Formula One World Championship with the Williams team.
In 1980, he became the 1980 World Drivers' Champion. This made him the second Australian to win the title, following the legendary Sir Jack Brabham. Alan Jones competed in 117 Grand Prix races. He won 12 of these races and finished on the podium 24 times. In 1978, he also won the Can-Am championship while driving a Lola car.
Jones is also the last Australian driver to win the Australian Grand Prix. He won the 1980 event at Calder Park Raceway. He was driving his Formula One Championship-winning Williams FW07B car. He even managed to lap every other car in the race, which were mostly Formula 5000 cars.
Contents
Alan Jones: A Racing Champion
Alan Jones had an exciting career in the world of Formula One. He was known for his determined driving style. His success brought great pride to Australia.
Early Racing Days
Alan Jones started his journey in motorsport. He worked his way up through different racing categories. His talent quickly became clear to everyone.
Becoming a Formula One Star
Jones joined Formula One in 1975. He drove for several teams, including Hesketh and Surtees. His big break came when he joined the Williams team.
The 1980 Championship Win
The 1980 Formula One season was a highlight for Alan Jones. He showed incredible skill and consistency. He won the World Drivers' Championship that year. This was a huge achievement for him and for the Williams team. It was their first championship win.
Life After Formula One
After his main Formula One career, Jones continued to be involved in motorsport. He raced in other series. He also became a commentator, sharing his knowledge of racing with fans.
Family and Racing
Alan Jones has children, and some of them have also followed in his footsteps. His adopted son, Christian, races in various forms of motorsport.
Awards and Recognition
Alan Jones has received many honours for his contributions to motor racing. These awards show how important he is in the sport.
- In 1980, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). This was for his "service to motor racing."
- In 1985, he was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. This recognizes Australia's greatest athletes.
Alan Jones and his father, Stan, share a special record. They are one of only three father-son pairs to win the Australian Grand Prix. The other pairs are Graham and Damon Hill, and Keke and Nico Rosberg. This shows the strong racing legacy in the Jones family.
